. >> can it also persuade undecided voters and with 36 days until the election, that could make all the difference. >> that would be great. if they would lay out a specific plan, and that's what we'd love to see in the debate. >> while the stakes are high, both candidates are trying to down play expectations. >> governor romney, he's a good debater. i'm just okay. >> president obama is holding debate sessions following nevada. mitt romney is practicing for the next two days while in denver. >> so what we hope people get out of this de intat that --. >> both polls indicate president obama is pulling ahead in several battleground states but a poor debate performance or gaffe could be a huge stumble. many analysts say mitt romney may be better prepared after more than 20 debates during the primary. >> there are moments like that you don't know which way it's going to bounce. there are four debates in october, three of them presidential. wednesday evening's primary event is primarily focussed on domestic policy. there will only be about two weeks of campaign time remaining. in washington, c